Pageant salutes black women

As the sparse, quiet melody of "I'm Every Woman" by Whitney Houston built up into a rhythmic dance beat, the tone of the 1997 Miss Black Penn State Pageant was set. What began as a quiet, anticipatory mood quickly shifted to an animated one, filled with dancing, clapping and screaming.

The event was sponsored by Omega Psi Phi fraternity, said the masters of ceremony, Jibri Bond, vice basileus of Omega Psi Phi, and Gerard Joseph, keeper of records of the fraternity. The pageant's theme was "I Am."

When the contestants had changed into business suits and introduced themselves, it was obvious who the crowd was there to see.

One woman receiving much of the applause and screams was Valerie Tate (sophomore-elementary education) who was eventually crowned Miss Black Penn State 1997.

"I am only one, but I am one," she said in her introduction to the crowd. "I cannot do all things, but I can do some things."

Other contestants emphasized the importance of the mind and God in life.

After a performance by the dance group Keeper of the Flame, the contestants reappeared in traditional African dress to bring to the crowd the beauty, power and intelligence of the strong African woman, Bond and Joseph said.

Each contestant modeled her ensemble. Most contestants wore fabric of gold and purple, which signified wealth and royalty in Africa. The clothing had to be made by the contestant or brought to her from Africa.

While the women prepared for the talent competition, Jason Yates, named Mr. Black Penn State last week, and three female singers entertained the crowd with the song, "Hero," by Mariah Carey.

Talents ranged from poetry readings to musical performances to dramatic readings, but the biggest crowd-pleaser was Tate's interpretative dance to "Silver and Gold." Tate was dressed in a black velvet dress and wore silver gloves and gold necklaces and painted her face white.

To her emotional, amusing and poetic dance about the importance of God over material goods, the crowd yelled, "Do it, Val, do it," and "Praise God, child." By the end of the number, no music could be heard, only the clapping hands of a standing crowd.

The 10 women modeled their dresses and each answered impromptu questions. The questions centered on the idea of the strong African woman and her place in the world.

"I am free to be," Tate said in response to her question regarding the meaning of "I Am," in life. "I am a woman with a purpose. I am virtuous. I am promise and I am possibility. I can do anything God wants me to do."

"Go Jesus," exclaimed members of Tate's family.

And then it happened. The official votes were tallied. Five women held hands on each side of a large wicker queen's chair. And Yates sang as the winners were announced.

Second runner-up was Carla Grundy (senior-marketing). First runner-up was Aronissa McFadden (sophomore-human and family development). And the new Miss Black Penn State was announced as Valerie Tate.

Tate wore a regal purple sash and paraded across the stage throwing out a model's wave as family and friends rushed up to the stage to take pictures. Tate then perched herself on the wicker chair and fans ran up the stage stairs to congratulate her.

This was the 12th Miss Black Penn State Pageant sponsored by the fraternity, but the first one in four years, said Eric Pratt, basileus of Omega Psi Phi.